Driving in Slovakia

Slovakia is a lovely place to see from a vehicle. For driving in Slovakia, foreign drivers from non-European Union countries must have International driving permits along with their original driver permits. The International driving permits may be used for driving for up to 90 days.

Slovakian main road traffic rules:

Traffic flows on the right side of the road.

The minimum driving age is 18 years.

Headlights must be on at all times.

Seat belts are required for a driver and all passengers.

Children under 12 must sit in the rear of the vehicle.

The permitted blood alcohol level is 0.0%.

Right turns on red are not permitted.

Using cell phones while driving is strictly prohibited, and permitted only with hands-free system.

Eating and anything else unconnected to driving is not allowed.

Trams, trolleys and buses that are turning always have the right-of-way.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right-of-way.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly prohibited. The legal blood alcohol level is zero percent.

Drivers must yield the right of way to vehicles with flashing blue lights.

Any driver must have at least third-party insurance.

The reflection vest and first aid kit must be present in each vehicle.

It is prohibited to carry or use any radar detection equipment.

It is a rule to give priority to traffic coming from the right.

Some advices:

Drivers should slow down if on the road vehicles with yellow or orange lights are present.

Drivers should be cautious about slowly moving agricultural vehicles on side roads; they may not be well marked.

If the estimated damage in an accident exceeds €4,000, drivers must call the police. The police are obliged to give a foreign driver a record of the accident with time, place, all information about the car, and a description of the damage. If damage is minor, drivers can exchange insurance information and solve the accident without the police.

The Slovakian police have the authority to stop any car for a random check. They may check driver and vehicle papers or driver’s alcohol level. While driving, foreign drivers should always care their domestic driver permits along with International driving permits, personal identification documents, car registration papers, and proof of insurance.

In a case of fine, drivers have a right to defer payment until later; but, they may have additional fees, and will pay up to double amount of the original fine.

Parking is usually permitted on the right side of the road except on one-way streets where vehicles can be parked on the left side.

Ambulance phone number is 155, Police – 158.

Drivers should give way to trams pulling out or showing a right turn. Vehicles may pass trams on the right.

It is recommended to have in the car following safety equipment: spare bulbs, tow rope, spare wheel, fire extinguisher, and torch.